Jagger: Call me Sir Michael

LONDON, England (CNN) --Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, newly knighted at Buckingham Palace, says he likes the idea of being called "Sir Michael" from now on.

"I suppose people will call me 'Sir Mick' but 'Sir Michael' has a nice ring to it," he said after receiving the honor Friday.

Jagger was announced by Master of the Royal Household Vice Admiral Tom Blackburn as "Sir Michael Jagger" receiving the accolade of knighthood "for services to popular music."

The knighthood was bestowed by a light sword touch on each shoulder from Prince Charles, standing in for his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who is in hospital for knee surgery.

There were no hordes of screaming fans, just the prince in the naval uniform of an admiral waiting to congratulate him. Jagger, 60, was watched by his 92-year-old father Joe, and daughters Karis, 32, and Elizabeth, 19.

Rock music's new knight made a respectful bow of the head and finished the royal encounter with a handshake as from a minstrels' gallery, a military band played a selection of tunes outside the Stones' repertoire -- Handel's Water Music and Schubert's D Minor Quartet.

After the ceremony Jagger played down the occasion and said fellow band member Keith Richards, who had publicly criticized his fellow group member for "selling out" by accepting the honor, was jealous of his award.

Wearing a black suit rather than the traditional top hat and tails, Jagger told the UK's Press Association: "It's very nice to have honors given to you as long as you don't take it all too seriously.

"You should wear them lightly and not get carried away with your own self-importance."

On Richards, the new Sir Michael said: "I think he would probably like to get the same honor himself.

"It's like being given an ice cream -- one gets one and they all want one. It's nothing new. Keith likes to make a fuss."